Video conferences are an easy way to break down the walls of any classroom.
Read these 2 articles:
Why should we be involved in videoconferencing in education? Tech&Learning's opinion.

Education World's viewpoint and some tips.




Some classroom ideas:

  • Virtual Field Trips
  • Meet an expert
  • Interviews
  • Foreign Language classes
  • Students teaching each other
  • Upper level students reading to elementary
  • Teacher collaboration
  • College information & visits
Interesting ways to use web conferencing in the classroom.

Always be sure to read all the instructions, requirements, testing and if there is a cost. Below are some databases that host or provide video conferencing opportunities. You may need to register to see what is available.

Collaborations Around the Planet An easy way to search or post a request for a collaboration. Many are government sponsored and free. Talk to an expert at NASA or a museum.

Flat Classroom Project is always updating their opportunities.

Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration Once you are in this site, you select Content for Students and then Content Provider

NASA

Center for Science and Industry

Magpi resources

Digital Bridges resources

Resource sites for classrooms

Exploratorium- the museum of science, art and human perception

TWICE link

AT&T Explore

Berks Asian Studies Collaborative
Learn360

Register and search for video conferences here.

National archives - bringing history to life. Check it out here.



Assignment:

      • Start a discussion about a video conference you found interesting and useful in your teaching area. Reply to at least one other student in our Google Group's discussion area.


This occurrs after our class is over, but if you are interested and available, check it out. Sue Calvin will be visiting our class next Tuesday to talk about her role in Videoconferencing in Berks County.

http://magpi.newsweaver.co.uk/49md44ml812nt3kgjn8m54?email=true
Integrate Inter@ctivity into Your Classroom with MAGPI
Innovation Workshop │ July 29, 2010 │ 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM EDT │ FREE!
Delaware Center for Educational Technology │ Dover, Delaware
K12 students and teachers are creating unprecedented opportunities for inquiry-based learning by expanding the geographic boundaries of their classrooms - - virtually and cost effectively. K12 schools on the MAGPI network participate in interactive video exchanges in real- time - - with their students’ peers, content providers or experts from anywhere in the world. They have access to more than 100 MAGPI- produced interactive video programs each year. Students and teachers take advantage of multimedia files and learning objects through digital library repositories, create their own virtual words and use remote scientific instruments - - all without leaving their classrooms.
During this workshop, learn what resources are available to you, best practices for videoconferencing and how to plan/support collaborative projects. Educators and Technology experts will work together to brainstorm how tools available over the MAGPI and Internet2 networks can impact their home institutions. We look forward to working with you!
SPACE IS LIMITED. So please contact Jennifer Roussell at jroussell@doe.k12.de.us by July 19, 2010 to reserve your spot!
WORKSHOP AGENDA
9:30 AM
Intro to MAGPI and Internet2
Greg Palmer, MAGPI
Did you know that over 50,000 schools, libraries, museums, zoos, aquariums, and other cultural organizations across the US are connected with each other and thousands of institutions around the world via the next-generation Internet? MAGPI is the regional connector for this network. Learn about these two organizations and networks from MAGPI’s Executive Director.
10:00 AM
Applications Virtual Tour
Heather Weisse Walsh, MAGPI
The advanced networking community is changing the way teaching and learning is conducted in the classroom. Learn about the various tools, projects and applications that are influencing K12 classrooms over Internet2 and MAGPI. We’ll take a look at interactive videoconferencing, digital library repositories, virtual reality, gaming, simulation, remote instrumentation and more.
11:00 AM
Interactive Demonstrations
You’ve heard what you can do with MAGPI and Internet2 in the classroom - - now try out some of the technologies. You’ll have a chance to place a videoconference call, see live, high- definition streaming video, create a virtual environment and experience remote instrumentation.
12:00 PM
Lunch
(on your own)
1:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
Intergrating Inter@ctivity into Your Classroom: Learn how to develop your own collaborative interactive video projects, take a virtual field trip, and hear best practices for using videoconferencing in the classroom. This session will be led by Heather Weisse Walsh, MAGPI’s manager of educational service, will facilitate this session.
Supporting Inter@ctivity in the Classroom: Join members of the University of Pennsylvania Information Systems and Computing staff for four unique presentations directly related to technology infrastructure and supporting inter@ctivity in the classroom. Hear about IPv6, multicast applications, unified communications and H.323 best practices and troubleshooting. This session will be facilitated by Greg Palmer, MAGPI’s executive director.
3:15 PM
Virtual Panel Discussion: What Makes Projects Successful:
Join educators from MAGPI’s member community who have developed and implemented innovative projects using collaborative technologies! You’ll hear about the following projects: We Want the World to Know, Book Chatter, Alex’s Virtual Lemonade Stand, Project Lemonade, Murder Mystery Forensics, and States of Matter. We will conduct this portion of the workshop via WebEx, a webinar software.
4:15 PM
Wrap-Up and Next Steps
To register for this FREE workshop, please contact Jennifer Roussell at jroussell@doe.k12.de.us by July 19, 2010.



Susan Calvin 孔淑珍
Program Administrator,
Asian Studies Collaborative
Office of Innovation and Technology
Berks County Intermediate Unit
1111 Commons Blvd., P.O. Box 16050
Reading, PA 19612-6050
610-987-8639
suecal@berksiu.org